Clair J. Furlong

Clair J. Furlong, 83, of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 30, 1940, in Hazel Green, WI to his parents, Thomas Earl Furlong and Lorena Leglar Furlong.  He was the 15th of their 16 children.  Clair married Sandy Michel on June 25, 1966, and was a devoted family man. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, and his family was the center of his world. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren, and his legacy of love and kindness will live on in them. 

After serving in the Navy, Clair was a barber for more than 60 years. He had a knack for making everyone feel at ease, and his clients often became his closest friends. His barbershop, The Captain's Chair, was a place of camaraderie and laughter, where stories were exchanged, and memories were made.  Over the years, Clair had the privilege of barbering several generations of families, as his clients would bring their children and later their grandchildren.  Clair and Sandy have been parishioners at St. Bridget’s for over 50 years, Clair was a Grand Knight and a Fourth Degree Knight as well.  Clair loved his lawn, country music, line dancing, golf, fishing and playing cards, and above all else, he was a die-hard Packer fan and season ticket holder.   

Survived by his wife, Sandy Furlong; children, Kimberli (John) Palmer, Cori (Mike) Rothgery, and Brent Furlong; grandchildren, Mitchell and Griffin Palmer, and Jake, Max, and Morgan Rothgery; brothers, David (Diane) Furlong and Carl (Kathleen) Furlong; many nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Robert, Mary,  Lawrence, Jim, Nick, Rev. Fr. Daryl, Gerald Furlong, Twila Roling, Elaine Barry, Carol Anna Averkamp, Lila Knautz, Helen Kilcoyne, and Inez Piquett; daughter-in-law, Lyn (Brent) Furlong.

A funeral mass will be held for Clair on Monday, March 25, 2024, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, IL 61111, at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation starting at 9:00 A.M. until the time of mass. Another visitation will be held at 3:00 P.M. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Hazel Green, WI until time of burial at 3:30 P.M. Burial will take place at St. Francis de Sales Cemetery in Hazel Green, WI.

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